It’s law of the bungle for Detective Dhlomo
Tonight television Detective Dhlomo is so hell bent on rooting out criminal elements in KwaMashu that he might have made a grave error in his case against the Xulus in ‘Uzalo’,writes
SOMETIMES, characters linger in our minds long after the actors have left the show. For example, Hlubi Mboya still can’t escape the shadow of Nandipha Sithole (even though she is now on e.tv’s Rhythm City as Thandeka) anymore than Don Mlangeni Nawa can his role as Zeb Matabane, which he essayed for 16 years. His exit left fans inconsolable. Fortunately, that wasn’t the last we were going to see of him on the small screen.
Mlangeni Nawa emerged as Detective Dhlomo in SABC1’s Uzalo, which attracted a lot of fanfare when news got out.
Interestingly, he auditioned for a different character, but was given this role, instead. Not that he was complaining, mind you. It gave him a chance to leave an indelible impression with a character poles apart from his last one.
Dhlomo worked for the South African Police in Joburg during the apartheid era. Much of his experience has informed his moral standpoint.
As for his personal life, he has been haunted by the disappearance of his baby girl, Sibahle, when Nontsikelelo, with whom he had a whirlwind romance, left after he refused to marry her. He eventually married and had two kids.
His arrival at KwaMashu Police Station was with the promise of a captaincy post, which was not honoured due to him ruffling too many feathers. Nevertheless, he soldiers on with his quest to make the township safe.
The actor explains: “On his arrival, he finds the Xulu family to be troublesome and soon he becomes unpopular with the masterminds behind the crimes in KwaMashu. He wants to make an example of them, to show that crimes cannot be BRING TO BOOK: Don Mlangeni Nawa as Detective Dhlomo in SABC1’s telenovela, tolerated, especially if they violate the rights of the community.” As for stepping into the role after playing Zeb, he says: “It is quite refreshing and exciting. When we are shooting in the township, all these small kids are watching. To be exposing them to the opportunities and to be inspiring newcomers in the industry, that makes me happy.”
On fans still approaching him, he says: “In playing a character for such a long time, it stays with you. However, I don’t find it challenging to separate Zeb from Dhlomo. And when I bump into people and they ask what I’m doing, I tell them I’m doing Uzalo.”
While he now has a firm grasp on playing the character, he did some research for the part.
He says: “I befriended some of the police officers in the area and found out how they communicate with the criminals and the community.”
Of course, they also gave him insight into the lingo used.
In the meantime, Dhlomo is also bonding with his long-lost daughter, Sibahle, who has come back into his life.
The actor reveals: “Their relationship has evolved. Now they are getting to know each other and are spending time together. It’s a very powerful storyline about rekindling that love with a child born out of wedlock and is very relevant in real life.”
With Dhlomo obsessed with taking down the Xulu family, he makes a grave mistake that could land him in serious hot water.
Last week, he arrested notorious hijackers, Mastermind and Mxolisi, for the murder of Karina Govender. Her body was found in the car the two had stolen. This week, the career criminals learn their fate when they appear in court.
However, Dhlomo’s gung-ho arrest might not be the slam dunk he believes it to be. Let’s just say, a witness isn’t entirely truthful on the stand.
Mlangeni Nawa confirms: “He hasn’t done an intensive investigation. He took things for granted and makes the arrest.”
Uzalo airs on SABC1 from Mondays to Wednesdays at 8.30pm.